When the Mason Punchers rolled into Comfort on Friday of last week, there were a couple of questions on the minds of the Puncher faithful. We knew from last year that Comfort was going to be a good test to see exactly where we stand. We watched in pregame warm-ups and saw the athleticism, size and speed of the Bobcats. Last year versus Comfort, when we won 34-33, it was a fight to the very end and the game could have gone either way. This year is different and here is why. Last year with only three games being exempt we were trailing at halftime and fought hard to come back. Last year we only had a couple of blowouts and this year it is different.In the first two outings of the year we got up early and took control of the game and never looked back. We sat in the stands at Comfort at halftime winning 28-17 with the game still in question and wondered would the boys be able to come out and play Puncher Football the 2nd half. Offense was clicking on all cylinders with the Nation’s top rusher back in the lineup. He touched the ball only seven times the first half and scored three touchdowns. We knew David had been working out with his brother all summer and had heard he was stronger, faster and, believe it or not, quicker. In the first two games we had not seen David on the field. Enter question #1. Was David Mora the same David Mora of last year? He answered that question with a run that only he is capable of making. What a spectacular stop and go move he did on the faster Comfort closing free safety. He is not just quick he is insane quick. To me question #1 was answered. David Mora is back and better than ever. Now question #2. The question everyone wanted to know was, is Mason really that good? My vote is yes. We owned the Bobcats in the 2nd half. The coaching staff made adjustments and asked the boys to execute and they did in a big way. The defense played as well as you can hope for in the 2nd half. The secondary closed the distance between them and the Bobcat’s talented receivers in their newly formed zone based secondary and shut them down. A couple of adjustments were made as well on the defensive front to stop the run and the run was not available anymore for the Bobcats. The feeling around town is this team is different and I agree. We have a potent offense, a stifling defense, great special teams and a sure footed kicker and punter in Rio Schmidt. For the most part, this group of boys has been suiting up together and playing together for 9 years. We have #44 back on the field making an impact already! There is closeness like I have never seen before. If I had to sum it up I would refer to a remark made by the voice of the Punchers, Mr. Graham. He said this TEAM is pretty dog gone good. If I had to sum it up I would say this TEAM and these COACHES are pretty dog gone good. The coaching staff has what I believe is a perfect mixture of maturity and youthfulness. You have Burns being the Mentor and someone who was taught the X’s and O’s of football at a very young age by his father who was one of the best coaches Mason has ever had. You have the intensity of Ragsdale leading the Fat Boys to glory. Ragsdale has made it cool for you to be a lineman and have a little fat. Not quite Rock Star Status but they are looked up to in more ways than one. Get up close to one and shake their hand and you will see what I mean. Then enter Smith, Keller and Perkin’s doing their jobs with mental and repetitive teachings. Last but not least you have the young guns, Rasberry and McCloud running around on the field with the players and showing them how it’s done. If I were a player I’m not quite sure I would want them to suit up right now and lead by example because they are fit, really fit and were great athletes in their own right. Are all the pieces of the puzzle on the table? Is the date of December 15th a reality for this TEAM and this COACHING staff? I truly believe it is closer than farther away. With continued hard work and dedication we can achieve greatness. Will we continue on that path to the State Finals? Will this team go farther than any Puncher Team? That question, along with some others, will begin to be answered against the Warrior’s of Ingram next Friday. Go Punchers!

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